Dry mounting press with timing signals



June 30, 1953 v T. H. KRUEGER 2,644,151

DRY MOUNTING PRESS WITH TIMING SIGNALs Filed July 29, 1948 3Sheets-Sheet l nnentor 795000,05# Kef/565- www, mamf Gttornegs June 30,l1953 r H. KRUEGER 2,644,151

DRY MOUNTING PRESS WITH TIMING SIGNALs Filed July 29. 1948 3Sheets-Sheet 2 rwentor m w 1 3 m mf 1, f 4 h M m J 2, m H w E s W M M Qw. w Tm M m M E T ull B K A m E H W. MMM', M T m ,m .M W .1| D Il A.V a.we 1, M g w. 0 m .n u 4Q y Patented une 30, 1953 DRY MoUN'rING PnEssWITH TIMING srGNALs Theodore Krueger, Stratford, Conn., assigner to SealIncorporated,V a corporation of Connecticut Y Application July 29, 194s,serial No. 41,378

This invention relates to mounting presses, and particularly to the typeof presses AVccm-1 monly called dry mounting presses which are used forthe mountingy of photographic prints and the like by means of a heatsealingadhesive.

Such as adhesive may conveniently be .applied in the form of a heatsealing mounting tissue which is placed between the print andwtnemounting card or sheet, heat and pressure being applied by the press.

If satisfactory results in the mounting of photographs are to be securedby the use of dry mounting presses, it is important that the rightamount of heat besupplied, and that it be supplied for the correctperiod of time. the press isnot hot enough or if the heat is not appliedlong enough satisfactory adhesion will not be secured. If heat isapplied for too long a period of time the adhesive will be softened toomuch and partly absorbed into the mountyso that satisfactory permanentadhesion is not secured. It is also important for satisfactory resultsthat the pressure be Napplied uniformly over the entire surface of theprint.

It is an object of the present invention to "f5 vide this press with asignalling means for indin ,f

eating when the press has reached the proper temperature for effectiveuse.

It is a further object 0f the inventionto prols claims). (ci. 340-227)vide a press construction which is very simple u to operate andinexpensive to build. f

Other objects and advantages of the invens tion will appear in thecourse of the following description of a preferred embodiment l,oftheinvention chosen to illustrate 'the principles thereof.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pressembodying the invention; Y y

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the press taken online 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the press, parts being shown in section online 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the press with portions of the platenbroken away;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation 0f the press in open position with a partbroken away;

Fig. 6 is a Wiring diagram showing the electrical connections; f v

Fig. 7 is a partial wiring diagram similar v.to Fig. 6 showing a modiedform of timing signal.

Figr is a side elevation of apart of a press lshowing a mechanical timerapplied thereto.

The invention claimed in this case relates particularly to theimprovements disclosed embodying means for insuring application of aproper amount of heat to thematerial being pressed. More'particularly itrelates to the means for determining that the elements of the press areat the proper temperatureand to signalling means by which theapplication vof heat for the correct length 0f time is ascertained. Theinvention is illustrated in connection with a press embodying numerousnovelfeatures of mechanical construction, but such features are notclaimed herein as they form the subject mater of a divisionalapplication, Serial No. 180,734, led August 22, 195e.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the press comprises a bed I0 and aplaten l2 which for convenience are preferably hinged together as forexample bya hinge construction comprising ears i4 on the bed, and hingearms i6 pivoted to the ears i4 by a shaft I8 and connected to theplatenl I2 at opposite ends of a transverse axis extending substantiallyacross the center thereof. In the constructionv shown, the arms i6 areprovided with heads 20, heads 23 being connected to bosses 22 near theside edges of the platen by means of cap screws 24. 'These cap screws 24pass freely through unthreaded holes 26 in the heads 20 so that someplay is permitted to the plateny enabling it to level itself properlywhen pressed against the bed. A third cap screw 28 isprovided at eachside of the platen screwing into the boss 22 and'having its head bearingagainst the under side of the head 20 on the ad jacent arm i6. Theconstruction permits the platen .to be adjusted vertically by screwingor unscrewing the screws 28 and correspondingly loosening or screwing upthe screws 24.

Y The heads 2D carry a cross bar 3S, the ends `of vwhich projectlaterally. This cross bar crosses the platen at or near its centerline'and constitutes the actual means for transmitting pressure to theYplaten when the press is closed. Such pressure is applied by means ofhooi; shaped toggle links 32, a pairof which are preferably provided ateach side of the bed, pivoted thereto by pivot pins 34, and by a pair oftoggle levers 36, one at each side of the bed, such toggle levers beingpivoted to the ends of the toggle links 32 by pivot pins 3S. The togglelevers 3S have holes therein which fit over the projecting ends of thecross bar 130. The free ends of the toggle levers 36 are connected bycross bar 40 provided with a hand grip 42. The proportions of the togglemembers and relative location of the centers are such that when thetoggle levers are swung forward to pressing position, as shown in Figs.l, 2, 3 and 4, the line joining the axis of pivots 38 and pivots 34 liesto the left of the axis of shaft 30, so that the press slocked closed.When the toggle levers are swung to a rearward position as shown in Fig.5, the press is open and the line joining the pivots 38 and 34 againpasses to the left of the axis of shaft 30 so that the press will standin open position.

In the construction described, it will be seen that the hinge arms I6merely carry the platen whether in its open or closed position as theyswing around the hinge shaft I8. The actual closing pressure forcing theplaten against the bed is not transmitted through the hinge shaft |28',but is applied directly by the toggle mechanism to the cross bar 30 atthe center of the platen. This tends to equalize the pressure on theplaten and also relieves the hinge shaft I8 of strain so that a verylight hinge construction can be utilized.

The bottom face of the platen is preferably a smooth, hard surface. Thebed of the press is preferably provided with a deeply resilient surfaceto cooperate with the face of the platen so -as to insure an evendistribution of pressure over the print and mount which are placedbetween the platen and the bed. In the preferred construction of bedillustrated, the latter is provided with a thick body 50 of resilientmaterial,V preferably sponge rubber, upon the upper surface of which ispreferably secured a layer of felt 52. The bed l may conveniently beformed with a marginal flange `54 so as to provide a recess or boxlikeformation to receive the sponge rubber b ody 58. The sponge rubber bodyprojects` suiiiciently above the top edge of the iiange 4 to provide forfull resilient action.

The platen is provided with electrical heating means of a suitablecharacter, such as the usual resistance coils G0, supplied from theflexible cable 62. The resistance circuit isjprovided with an automaticthermostatic control element 64 of usual construction which maintainsthe platen at the desired approximate constant temperature once thecurrent is turned on.

In order to` warn the; operator not. to use the press until it hasreached the necessary temperature a go-ahead signal is provided.y Theconstruction shown comprises shunt circuit 6E. connected with the mainelectrical circuit, and containing a resistance 68, a lamp or othersignal element 18, a thermostatic switch 'I2V which. is located inproximity to the heated face of the platen so that its temperature willcorrespondv to that of such heated face. After the` main circuit hasbeen turned on and the current passed through the heating coils. for asufficient length of time, the thermostatic switch l2 will become heatedto a point Where it will close the switch contacts 14, thus closing thecircuit through the lamp 'l0 and causing the latter to light up. As soonas this light lights up it indicates to` the operator that the platenhas reached the temperature at which prints can be properly mounted. Iffor any reason the temperature of the platen falls below the safeoperating temperature, then the light 18 will go out, warning theoperator not to use the press. The light is preferably provided with adistinctively colored lens T6 which is usually green to indicate a safeoperating condition.

A very important feature of the invention com- CTL f the bed ofv thepress.

prises the provision of a timing signal by which the operator can telljust how long to keep the press closed in order to secure the optimumresults. The timing indicator may `be visual, or audible, orelectrically or mechanically operated. In the preferred arrangementshown in Fig. 6, an electric timing circuit is provided which is a shuntcircuit connected with the main source of current supply and includes aresistance 82, a blinker tube 84 or other electrical device soconstructed as to open and close the circuit at regular timedintervals,a blinker light 0r other indicator 86 and a switch 88 so constructed asto be closed whenever the platen is pressed down upon The switch 88 isshown as a microswtch having a contact arm 90 so ar ranged as to beengaged by a contact pin 92 mounted on one of the toggle levers 36,means being preferably provided by which the position of the pin may beadjusted so as to bring about closing` of the switch at the instant whenthe toggle lever is swung into a position to lock the platen in downposition. As illustrated the pin 92 is carried by an arm S3 pivoted at85 on one of the toggle levers 35. A clamping screw 96 carried by thearm 93 and passing through a slot 94 in the toggle lever permitsadjustment of the arm. The blinker light 86 may be provided with asuitably colored lens 9.8, which may, for example, be red. The blinkertube or device 84. is arranged to open and close the circuit at regularintervals of, for example, one second duration. As soon as the togglelevers are swung to close the press the blinker light 86 will start toflash and all that the operator has to do is to count the number offlashes. When the proper number of flashes has been observed the pressis opened and the mounting job is complete. With a good mounting tissue,three or four seconds are ordinarily sufficient.

Instead of using the blinker light to give a visual signal, means forgiving an audible signal might be used, such for example as a bell lilincluded in the circuit, as indicated in Fig. '7.

Any other suitable means for giving a timing signal may be employed,such for example as the mechanical timer |02, as shown diagrammaticallyin Fig. 8, this being mounted on the head 20 and having an actuating armi04 to be engaged by the pin 82 on the toggle lever when the press isclosed. The mechanical timer may be of 'any suitable construction suchas a clock or escapement mechanism.

All of the electrical controls above described are preferably enclosedin a box or chamber H0 on the top of the platen. `Such a chamber may becovered by a removable plate H2. By taking this off access may be had tothe signal lamps, circuits and other connections.

While I have illustrated and described indei tail certain preferredforms of my invention',` it is to be understood that changes` may be;made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not,therefore, desire to limit myself to the speciiic constructionillustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in wha-tever formits. principles may be utilized.

I claim:

1. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and platen movableinto and out of contact. with said bed, said platen4 containing.` anelectrical heating unit, means. for automatically regulating thetemperature of said unit, an electrical circuit associated with saidunit having: a signal element and a. sWitch said switch being somounted` and constructed as Vto be responsive to the tempera-ture ofsaid platen so as to close the circuit through said signal element whenthe temperature of the platen reaches apredetermined minimum, a secondelectric circuit associated with said platen and containing a signal, aflasher arra-nged to open Iand close the circuit at timed intervals anda mechanically actuated switch, and switch closing means for saidmechanical switch, said switch |and switch closing means being mountedon relatively movable parts of the press and being so constructed andarranged that when the press is closed the switch v is closed and whenthe press is opened the switch is opened.

2. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and a platen andelectrical heating means for at least one of said elements, atemperature operated indicator for indicating when the temperature ofthe electrically heated part of the press is at or above lapredetermined minimum, said indicator comprising an electric circuitcontaining an indica-tor light and a switch associated with the heatingelement of the press responsive to the temperature thereof, a secondelectric circuit containing a signal light located in a position to beobserved simultaneously with the first named indicator light, a flasherarranged to open and close said second circuit at timed intervals, amechanically actuated switch in said circuit, and means for closing saidmechanically actuated switch when the press is closed, and for openingsaid switch when the press is opened.

3. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and a platen movablymounted above the same, an electrical heating element in said platen, atemperature operated indicator mounted on said platen and comprising acircuit having a ten perature responsive element located in the platenin a position to respond to the temperature of the platen and includinga signal light mounted on top of the platen, a second indicator lightmounted on top of the platen adjacent to said ilrst indicator light andan electric circuit for said second indica-tor light, said secondelectric circuit including a mechanically actuated switch having meansfor closing the switch when the press is closed, and for opening saidswitch when the press is opened, said second circuit also containing anelectrical ilasher element responsive to a flow of current therethroughfollowing closing ..f

of said mechanically actuated switch to automatically break and closesaid circuit at timed intervals so long as said mechanically actuatedswitch remains closed.

4. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and platen movableinto and out of contact with said bed, said platen containing anelectrical heating unit, electrical lead wires leading to said unit, andtwo shunt circuits connected with said lead wires, one of said shuntcircuits containing a signal lamp and a thermostatic switch, said switchbeing so mounted and constructed as to be responsive to the temperatureof said platen so as to close said shunt circuit and illuminate saidsignal lamp When the temperature of the platen reaches a predeterminedminimum, said second shunt circuit containing a signal lamp, a flasherarranged to open and close the circuit at timed intervals and amechanically actuated switch, and switch closing means for saidmechanically actuated switch, said switch and switch closing means beingmounted on relatively movable parts of the press and being soconstructed and arranged that when the press is closed the switch isclosed, and when the press is opened the switch is opened.

5. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and platen movableinto and out of contact with said bed, said platen containing anelectrical heating unit, electrical lead wires leading to said unit, andtwo shunt circuits connected with said lead wires, one of said shuntcircuits containing a signal lamp and a thermostatic switch, said switchbeing so mounted and constructed as to be responsive to the temperatureof said platen so as to close said shunt circuit and illuminate saidsignal lamp when the temperature of the platen reaches a predeterminedminimum, said second shunt circuit containing a signal lamp, a asherarranged to open and close the circuit at timed intervals and amechanically actuated switch, `said switch being mounted on said platen,toggle means connecting said bed and platen, and a switch actuatingmember mounted on a part of said toggle means for engaging saidmechanical switch to actuate the same when said toggle means are inplaten closing position.

6. A photographic mounting press comprising a bed and Vplaten movablymounted above the same, an electrical heating element in said platen, acasing mounted on top of the platen, a movable cover on said casing, anelectrical lead cable passing through an opening through said cover intosaid casing and connected to said electrical heating element in theplaten, a pair of shunt circuits connected to said lead cable andcomprising conductors in said casing, one of said shunt circuitsincluding a signal lamp mounted on said cover, and a thermostaticswitch, said switch being so mounted and constructed as to be responsiveto the temperature of said platen so as to close the circuit throughsaid signal lamp when the temperature of the platen reaches apredetermined minimum, the second shunt circuit containing a signal lampmounted on said cover, a flasher tube mounted in said casing arranged toopen and close the circuit at timed intervals and a mechanicallyactuated switch, and switch closing means for said mechanical switch,said switch and switch closing means being mounted on relatively movableparts of the press and being so constructed and arranged that when thepress is closed the switch is closed, and when the press is opened theswitch is opened.

THEODORE H. KRIEGER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date incase? waiter sept. 12, 1911 1,474,342 Anderson Nov. 20, 19231,754,204 Green Apr. 8, 1930 2,208,432 Samuels July 16, 1940 2,264,710Parr Dec. 2, 1941 2,282,286 Otnow May 5, 1942 2,307,344 Zottu Jan. 5,1943 2,404,165 Carver July 16, 1946 2,420,887 Lane May 20, 19472,433,124 Johnson Dec. 23, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date384,527 Great Britain Dec. 8, 1932

